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A penis primer

Answers to your most pertinent questions

By
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Originally published in Today's Parent May 2005

The penis really is a many splendoured thing, as your son will discover in the years to come. Whether your little guy grows up to be a boxers or briefs man, chances are his most treasured companion will be zipped, itched, scratched, kicked and, well, you know, in the intervening years. And since you may be new to caring for this part of the anatomy, here’s what you need to know about your son’s penis:

What is the doctor checking for?
In the early years, your son’s genital area will need to be examined by a physician at regular checkups. The physician will look to see that your baby’s genitals appear healthy and normal (that the urethra opening is at the tip, for instance), and that both testicles have descended into the scrotum by six months of age. Undescended testicles place a boy at risk of infertility because the scrotum keeps them about five degrees cooler, which is necessary for healthy sperm production, explains Bill Hyndman, a paediatric urologist with Alberta Children’s Hospital in Calgary. The problem is corrected with day surgery.

My son’s penis seems small compared with those of other babies I’ve seen. Should I be worried?
There is considerable variation in penis size, says Hyndman, who firmly insists that parents avoid any sort of outright comparison. “I don’t want parents to get into measuring,” he says, suggesting they concern themselves with how the penis is functioning overall.

However, there is a condition known as buried penis, in which the penis is partially enveloped by the baby’s body fat, explains Hyndman. “We need to reassure the parents that the penis is buried, but normal size. As the boy’s body slims down, the penis usually becomes more apparent by adolescence.” A physician can identify this condition in the newborn. A child with a buried penis should not be circumcised because of the difficulty of the procedure and increased risk of damage (see Circumcision Debate). If the condition persists, surgery can correct the problem well into adulthood.

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